Pics of 22 yr old - Intermediate lifter (comments wanted)

Sup guys , This is my first post and im just settling into the community here.

I started working out senior year in high school and did everything wrong for a couple eyars (too many curls, too little calories)

Over the past year and ahalf ive been pretty serious about lifting and eating. I eat clean during the week most of the weekend. I only booze about 1-2 a month which is pretty good while being a senior in college.

Took these pics a couple weeks ago. I got a BF % test done at my local gym and it said I was 11.8%, what do you think?

IM currently trying to "clean bulk," putting on muscle with little fat as possible and so far its working. I didnt have a job all summer and simply cooked, ate, and ripped the gym

check out the pics and lemme know whatcha think.

I weigh about 175 lbs in them

strong base, very lean. my opinion, I wouldn't worry about your diet being clean, keep the alcohol out of it still, but it doesn't need to be clean. You look like you're naturally lean so it's going to take alot of eatting to put on some serious weight, i'm the same way. During the winter just stuff your face dude.

I disagree. You should continue to eat as clean as possible and up the calories slowly. While dirty bulking is fun, it is complete nonsense in that you will balloon in water retention, raise your cholesterol levels, gain unneeccesary fat, and for what? to have two extra pounds of muscle and twenty of fat? dirty bulking is just an excuse that people make who can't take responsibility for their diet. I am speaking from experience, it can takes months even years to properly diet off and restore the lean body type you had before you "bulked" at the risk of losing all the muscle you put on. Why not just keep things strict, gain muscle slowly, stay lean and keep your gains? The main difference between the 15-18 yr olds on this board and truly successful athletes is the dedication and focus it takes to do things right and carefully for year after year. Life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. You don't want to dirty bulk, get fat, be unhealthy and feel unhealthy, and then give up and say dieting isn't for me and then come back a year later as a complete fat ass. Clean = better in my opinion. Argue away high school kids, but it isn't me whose going to be looking in the mirror in 5 years of bulk/cut "cycles" and wondering why can't get lean enough or big enough or thinking I have terrible genetics..

that's what I hope to look like when I cut this fall!

how tall?

Originally Posted by dxiw

I disagree. You should continue to eat as clean as possible and up the calories slowly. While dirty bulking is fun, it is complete nonsense in that you will balloon in water retention, raise your cholesterol levels, gain unneeccesary fat, and for what? to have two extra pounds of muscle and twenty of fat? dirty bulking is just an excuse that people make who can't take responsibility for their diet. I am speaking from experience, it can takes months even years to properly diet off and restore the lean body type you had before you "bulked" at the risk of losing all the muscle you put on. Why not just keep things strict, gain muscle slowly, stay lean and keep your gains? The main difference between the 15-18 yr olds on this board and truly successful athletes is the dedication and focus it takes to do things right and carefully for year after year. Life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. You don't want to dirty bulk, get fat, be unhealthy and feel unhealthy, and then give up and say dieting isn't for me and then come back a year later as a complete fat ass. Clean = better in my opinion. Argue away high school kids, but it isn't me whose going to be looking in the mirror in 5 years of bulk/cut "cycles" and wondering why can't get lean enough or big enough or thinking I have terrible genetics..

LOL - you don't have to eat fast food everyday, but you also don't have to be completely clean with your food either. The difference between the successful on this board is that they understand you need alot of food to grow. As long as you're training like you should and hittlng cardio, you won't just end up a fatass.

Originally Posted by radioheadhead

how tall?

I am 5 foot 8 inches

I'm at the girlfriends now and posting from my iPhone. I will respond to the other posts later. Thanks for the input it's been a good tool to aid in reflection of my progress.

Thanks guys

awesome work, I am 6' and trying to bulk to 220-225 and then slowly cut down to 9%, hopefully at around 200lbs.

got my BF tested this week, up to 179 LBS and 12 % BF

All my lifts are up

Deadlift = 315 x 3
Bench = 225 x 3

my military shoulder press is really lacking and doesn't progress as fast as I would like... i currently do 135 x 5 and the reps get lower until I hit my PR of 175

I do military press, upright row, standing dumbell press for shoulders... any other suggestions?

Originally Posted by Ben Moore

LOL - you don't have to eat fast food everyday, but you also don't have to be completely clean with your food either. The difference between the successful on this board is that they understand you need alot of food to grow. As long as you're training like you should and hittlng cardio, you won't just end up a fatass.

I have to agree with the Times article....cardio isn't as important as diet. At all. Whatsoever. I gree you don't have to east fast food every day, but why not get into a good habit of eating clean? Your body will thank you, and you won't get tubby. If you eat like crap, it doesn't matter how much cardio you do.

also, it is very difficult to track cals properly when eating out. you're better off prepping your food and being consistent w/ a clean diet. and for the record... you can easily gain fat while eating 100% clean. fat gain is a function of excess quantity calories less maintenance less activity expenditures. that sounds pretty fancy.

Good points, I agree. By eating clean, I meant non-processed foods in moderation, I should've been more clear. Good distinction, though.

Your military press @135 x 5, is right where it shoud be, based on your other lifts.

Hi Danny, you look awesome mate

What is your current diet (including cals/macros)? Very curious to know

Originally Posted by dxiw

I disagree. You should continue to eat as clean as possible and up the calories slowly. While dirty bulking is fun, it is complete nonsense in that you will balloon in water retention, raise your cholesterol levels, gain unneeccesary fat, and for what? to have two extra pounds of muscle and twenty of fat? dirty bulking is just an excuse that people make who can't take responsibility for their diet. I am speaking from experience, it can takes months even years to properly diet off and restore the lean body type you had before you "bulked" at the risk of losing all the muscle you put on. Why not just keep things strict, gain muscle slowly, stay lean and keep your gains? The main difference between the 15-18 yr olds on this board and truly successful athletes is the dedication and focus it takes to do things right and carefully for year after year. Life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. You don't want to dirty bulk, get fat, be unhealthy and feel unhealthy, and then give up and say dieting isn't for me and then come back a year later as a complete fat ass. Clean = better in my opinion. Argue away high school kids, but it isn't me whose going to be looking in the mirror in 5 years of bulk/cut "cycles" and wondering why can't get lean enough or big enough or thinking I have terrible genetics..

I don't post here much, but just thought I'd speak up and say GREAT POST. I agree with your take on "dirty bulking" 100%. I am definitely in the camp of "quality over quantity" when it comes to gaining weight.